Jaipur is the Pink City, but step inside its most famous royal landmark, and you’ll find a room that seems to have completely ignored the colour brief. In the latest episode of Palaces of India, we visited the magnificent City Palace, a sprawling royal complex in the heart of Jaipur. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur, began building the palace in the 18th century, and generations of Jaipur’s rulers continued adding to the complex, creating the grand mix of Rajput, Mughal and European influences seen today. But somewhere amid the pink sandstone, ornate gateways and royal courtyards is Chhavi Niwas, and this one is decidedly, dramatically blue.
Chhavi Niwas Is The Blue Summer Retreat Inside Chandra Mahal
Located on the fifth floor of Chandra Mahal, Chhavi Niwas was essentially the Maharaja’s summer retreat. And considering Jaipur’s summers, you can understand why the royals wanted somewhere that felt less like an oven and more like an escape. The room is covered in blue and white, from its walls to its intricate decorative work, creating a striking contrast to the city outside.
The colour wasn’t picked just because someone in the royal family had a serious blue phase. Blue was traditionally associated with a cooling effect, and the airy room, its open spaces and the monsoon breeze together made Chhavi Niwas an ideal place to retreat to when temperatures soared. After the rains, too, the space offered a particularly pleasant atmosphere. Basically, while the rest of Jaipur was negotiating with the heat, the Maharaja could head upstairs and chill, quite literally!
And if you think the fifth floor sounds fancy, wait till you hear what’s on the seventh.
Mukut Mandir Sits At The Very Top Of Chandra Mahal
At the very top of Chandra Mahal is Mukut Mandir, literally the palace’s crown. It wasn’t built as another floor for the Maharaja to lounge around in. Instead, this tiny pavilion sits right at the summit, giving the palace its unmistakable finishing touch. From here, the royal flags and standards become part of the story.
The Kachhwaha flag, representing Jaipur’s royal lineage, is associated with the palace’s distinctive flag traditions. There is also the famous Sawai flag, linked to the title “Sawai,” meaning one and a quarter, bestowed on Jai Singh II by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The royal standard is traditionally displayed from the top of Chandra Mahal, turning the highest point of the palace into something far more symbolic than just a pretty rooftop.
So yes, Jaipur may be pink. But its royal palace has a blue summer retreat, a crown perched seven storeys above the ground and flags carrying centuries of Kachhwaha history.
Turns out, the Pink City has always had a little room for blue.
Cover Image Courtesy: Internal
FAQs
What is Chhavi Niwas in Jaipur?
Chhavi Niwas is a blue-and-white room located on the fifth floor of Chandra Mahal within Jaipur’s City Palace. It was used as a summer retreat by the Maharaja.
Where is Chhavi Niwas located?
Chhavi Niwas is located on the fifth floor of Chandra Mahal, which forms part of the City Palace complex in Jaipur.
Why is Chhavi Niwas blue?
The blue colour was traditionally associated with a cooling effect. Combined with the room’s airy design and monsoon breezes, it made Chhavi Niwas a comfortable retreat during Jaipur’s hot summers.
